the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

It is located at 55 kms north from Ramanathapuram and around 24 kms south-east of Devakkottai. The buses from Trichy to Rameswaram goes via this place. It can be easily approached from Devakottai, Madurai and Sivagangai. The buses from Madurai to Thondi & Thirupunavasal goes via this place.

According to the Naadi Sastharam it is believed that the Sukra Doosha is getting relieved when we worship the Lordess Snekavalli here. So on every Friday the special pooja is being conducted five times that day.

Lord Shiva was worshipped here by Surya, Saint Vaaruni, Saint Markandeyar, Saint Agathiyar and King Bojeswaran. Surya with the advice from Lord Bramha worshipped here by creating the Linga with Sapphire (Blue Stone) to be the foremost in the Navagraha and to run the chariot with a single wheel. Surya also created a Theertham in his name and those who take bath there will be blessed with the fulfillment of their desires. Vaaruni, son of Varunan was cursed by Saint Duruvasar for not wishing him as his head will be like a goat and the body will be like an elephant. After pardoning the Vaaruni the saint said that his curse will be rectified by taking the advice of Saint Agathiyar and learning the meaning for the 5 lettered Manthra from Saint Markandeyar and being with the goat head and elephant body for 12 years and by doing penance on Lord Shiva at Paarijathavanam. As said the Vaaruni had the advices from Saint Agathiyar and Markandeyar and came to Thiruvaadaanai previously called as Paarijathavanam and had bath at Surya Theertham and worshipped the Lord here and got rid of his curse. Saint Markandeyar also did penance here on Lord Shiva and got the ever 16 boon from the Lord. Saint Markandeyar also created a Theertham in his name here. While Lord Shiva�s marriage was held at Mount Kailash the Northern Direction became down and the Southern Direction went up because all the Lords, Saint and Devas went for the marriage. So Lord Shiva asked Saint Agathiyar to go to Southern Direction to make it level and gave his a boon that he can view the marriage as and when required at where ever he wants. While Saint Agathiyar lived here he had the Dharshan of the marriage here also.

The important festivals here are Sukla Chadurthi, Pradhosham on Friday, New Moon(Amavasai), Thirukarthigai, Mahasivarathiri, Nataraja Abisekam, Dhanur Month Pooja, Arudhra Darshan, Navarathiri, Skanda Sashti, Karthigai Month Changu Abisekam etc., The Vasantha Utsam at the tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June) and Ambal Utsavam at the tamil month of Aadi(July-August) will be celebrated in a grand manner.